Few things that can send you into a panic like a plumbing emergency. When water is coming out of the walls or floors, or nasty things are coming out of your shower drain or toilet, you want it fixed fast.
If you hire the wrong plumber it can make matters worse. There are lots of North Sydney plumbers, but what should you look for? Word of mouth has always been the best way to find a plumber. Ask your friends, family, and neighbours but when you can’t here’s what to check.
Test their Customer Service
When you call the company check their customer service. Is the phone answered promptly and professionally? Is the person answering the call hurried, rushed, or confused in any way? Are they friendly and engaging? Are you put on hold for a long period?
The best customer service you will get is before the sale. They are trying to win your business. If customer service is lacking before the sale, the odds are that it won’t improve if you decide to do business with them.
Ask for Qualifications
Is the plumber licensed and bonded by the state? Ask for a copy of their current license. Go to your state’s license verification website and verify the status of your license. Look to see if there are any complaints, liens or judgements on file.
They should be able to provide you with a copy of their worker’s compensation and liability insurance coverage.
References
The company should be able to provide you with written references. Understand that a company can “cherry pick” references, so ask for names and telephone numbers as well. Often times if you can talk to a reference it can help you sort out the good from the bad.
Look at online review sites. Sites like Yelp and Trustpilot are useful to see raw unedited reviews from past customers.
Even the best plumbers can get have a bad day and get an occasional questionable review. Customers can have unrealistic expectations which result in a poor review. Read the reviews carefully looking for a preponderance of good reviews. Too many bad reviews or too many reviews that point out the same weakness or flaw should make you wary.
Choosing the right contractor is hard work. It involves talking to and investigating different vendors. If it’s an emergency situation, and you want something done ASAP, do the best you can. Don’t compound the situation by choosing the wrong contractor.
Written Estimate
Get a written estimate and a clear understanding of the scope and timeline of the work. Ask about start dates and end dates. Before you sign a contract make sure the scope of the work is detailed in the agreement. While it is customary to put down a deposit, don’t make your deposit any larger than what is required by law.
Good plumbers, like any good contractor, are hard to find. If you find a good one, treat them fairly and pay them on time. If you take care of them, the odds are they will take care of you.
